I started this blog with the best intentions and for reasons I thought were good. I am trained as an analyst, so my research is solid, not from WebMD I am a lifelong medical geek (facts only), have some medical training & many years of research, including at teaching hospitals up my sleeve. I have 3 Autoimmune Diseases & some other probs and am very well versed in those & related (or sometimes unrelated) issues. I love helping people and advocacy work & have done it for a long time and often, physically & online. I am good at … [Read more...]
What is Sjogren’s Syndrome ?
SJOGREN’S SYNDROME - What is it ? Sjögren’s syndrome was first described in 1933 by Swedish eye specialist Henrik Sjögren (left). The condition causes antibodies to attack the body’s moisture-producing glands, leading to dryness on the body due to lack of secretion. The illness most commonly affects the eyes, mouth, salivary glands, lungs, kidneys, skin and nervous system but all organs of the body can be affected. In rare cases, complications from Sjogren’s syndrome can cause salivary gland infections, kidney problems, ulcers or … [Read more...]
Comorbidity, Multimorbidity with RA & Other Autoimmune Diseases
When you have Rheumatoid Autoimmune Disease (RA or R.A.D), Lupus, MS, Ankylosing Spondylitis or other Inflammatory/Autoimmune Diseases, (basic list at end of post), it's not uncommon to have multiple, but separate similar... in some cases even completely different unrelated diseases, afflictions or complications that are coincidental, related to or caused by your primary diagnosis... these can even be.. Suprise !!... part of your primary original disease you'd never have thought, would be (those conditions are not technically comorbid because they encompassed as … [Read more...]
Are Apps useful? Paid studies & tech. Is it worth it?
In order to provide good info here, I've been testing various phone & tablet Apps for RA, Pain Tracking, Self Monitoring et al. Also part of my evaluation, is that Mr Rock (aka my rock star husband) can write apps, because he's, amongst other saintly, creative, musical and handy things, a programmer and has several apps out in the market... no not Angry Birds, wow, WISH we'd thought of that one, I'd have minions writing this blog, or fund something great for fellow sufferers... anyway, back on track. (I have been diagnosed with adult A.D.D by the way, but I think … [Read more...]
Shut your mouth ! Oral Hygiene is REALLY important
Having an inflammatory disease and using medications that suppress your immune system is like a double whammy. But this info can help the non-disease challenged as well, it's how I discovered all this & formulated a system. Inside your mouth, problems are compounded by a lot of naturally occurring bacteria, as well as food breaking down into more bacteria (bonus points if you still have your tonsils, because they are little evil collection pockets for bacteria). Add to that, the insult of having to scrub your gums and/or tongue on a daily basis multiple times … [Read more...]